Dan’s Daily: Penguins Stink Gets Worse; Scouting Top UFAs

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ stink is getting worse, and no air freshener can help. The team salvaged a point with a late goal against the Ottawa Senators but has just two tallies in their last four games and even less heart in the lineup. TSN is talking about Sidney Crosby’s future. Elsewhere in the Daily, Sportsnet has begun scouting the top UFAs, the NHL did right by levying a stiff suspension to Matt Rempe, and Jakob Chychrun expects to remain in the NHL trade rumors.

Gallows humor. The wisecracks, dark jokes, and insults while watching the Penguins fail to pretend to play hard against Ottawa weren’t enough. I suppose I should have some sort of policy or know where the line is, but I don’t. The Vegas betting odds that I get myself in trouble with a wisecrack that goes too far are currently off the board because of one-sided betting.

I don’t know about Sportsnet Pittsburgh, but TSN was having a good time focusing on reactions from coach Mike Sullivan and president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas. Sullivan is hopelessly vexed and angry. Dubas is still animated.

Postgame, Sullivan didn’t bite on two obviously positive-leaning questions, keeping a dour tone. I found the almost combative tenor more insightful than the words.

There are no jokes or song lyrics to quote that will lighten the mood, but I will put Norm MacDonald’s “true story” about a turtle, a drunk, and a dartboard at the bottom.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Seven new stories, here’s the postgame.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Ottawa wins 2-1 in overtime. How low is rock bottom? The scathing Penguins recap.

You know people are exasperated when I was merciless and people wanted me to go further?! The performances to hate and calling out the worst in the Penguins’ report card.

PHN Video: Brutal reader questions, including about coach Mike Sullivan. There’s no shying away from criticism at all levels in the Penguins postgame.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): Jakob Chychrun understands with one year left on his contract, the trade rumors will only intensify, though he didn’t exactly quell them.

Sportsnet: For Penguins fans, I think this is the list to keep an eye on. There are some centers on this list, and I maintain that’s the biggest need to be competitive next year. The top UFAs and how they’re faring.

Philly Hockey Now: It’s been so long that I forgot. Ryan Johansen and John Tortorella had a war in Columbus early in Johansen’s career. Johansen was traded to Nashville, and now Johnansen wants to patch things up — if the pair can — with the Philadelphia Flyers.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The NHL sent a firm and early message to rowdy Matt Rempe. He’s been increasingly acting like a goon, but he went too far against New Jersey on Monday night, and the NHL is giving him a four-game timeout for his actions against the New Jersey Devils.

Detroit Hockey Now: If only the Penguins didn’t crawl in a hole. Things are getting bleak in Detroit, with six losses in a row and the playoffs slipping away. The Detroit Red Wings are giving it away.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks are still playing. They’ll be in Pittsburgh today for a scintillating matchup. It’s their first since the Penguins hung double-digit goals on them back in November. They, too, are dealing with a surprise trade and locker room despair. Ladies and gentlemen, your San Jose Sharks.